Recommended Manali Tour Plan

Day One Check into hotel and post lunch, visit Manali local attractions

Day Two

Start early for an excursion to Rohtang Pass / Snow Point; (Winters : Kothi, Rahala, Gulaba /Snow Point) -LEAVE FOR CAMPUS

Key attractions near Manali village

Hadimba Temple Vashist Kund Tibetan Monastery Manu Mandir (Old Manali) Van Vihar.

Time required to visit listed attractions : 5 hours. Google Map of Manali local attractions You can either hire a local taxi (around Rs.600/-) or an autorickshaw to visit these attractions. Many youngsters prefer to spend evenings in one of the many atmospheric old Manali hangouts.

Hadimba Temple
Hidimba temple lies nestled among tall deodars at around 2kms from the main market area of Manali. The wooden temple built by Maharaja Bahadur Singh in 1553 is dedicated to demoness Hidimba, wife of Pandava Bhima. Roof of the temple consists of massive deodar planks, which has largely survived the rages of time. To the left of the temple is a natural rock shelter with oversized footprintssaid to be the footprints of Hidimba. Annual Dhungri Mela (fair of the temple) is held in mid-July, which culminates with beheading of an ox.

Tibetan Monastery
Manali has three important Tibetan Monasteries: Himalayan Nyinmapa Temple, the traditional Gelukpa Gompa and the other one at Aleo on the left bank of Beas river. The first two monasteries are easily accessible from the town. The market near to the monastery sells rugs, Kullu shawls, and Tibetan souvenirs. The Monasteries are open 6AM to 6PM

Vashist Kund
Vashist is a small village famous for its hot springs and temple of Rama and Sage Vasisht. There is a separate bath area for men and women near the hot springs which unfortunately gets dirty as the day progresses. There was an attempt to build modern turkish style bath houses but the project faced resistance from local people is now abandoned. An hours enjoyable walk from Vashist village leads to an attractive waterfall.

Manu Mandir
Manali takes its name after Manu, the sage who authored Manu-smriti, probably the earliest codification of law. Fittingly, there is a temple dedicated to Manu at Old Manali. There is an interesting

walking trail from Old Manali to Solang valley passing the villages of Goshal,Shanag and Buruwa. For the uninitiated, the walk can be tiring.

Old Manali
Old Manali used to be a hippy haven but today houses some of the most interesting restaurants of Manali. Many options for youngsters to chill out in the evenings.

Van Vihar
A nature park of deodar grooves on the banks of Beas River. The park houses a small aviary of Himalayan birds. The park is open from 8AM to 6PM Old Manali guesthouses are popular with western backpackers and tourists young at heart. Very few honeymooners and Indian families opt to stay at Old Manali guesthouses, instead they prefer to negotiate for a discount from any of the budget hotels in Manali. Hotels offer generous discounts during winters and in off season.

Seasons
Peak Season: April to June and Christmas weekend (book in advance) Mid Season: September to October Off season Rest of the year (ask for discounts)

Ask for discounts

Accommodation options at Manali range from simple guesthouses to glitzy star resorts. Except during peak seasons, room supply at Manali exceeds the demand forcing resorts to offer moderate to high discounts.

Honeymoon Specials!
Manali is popular with honeymooners and to help them plan their honeymoon, we have shortlisted Best of hotels and resorts for honeymooners along with all information that will help plan a memorable honeymoon.

Star Resorts with affordable tariff

Most of the premium hotels and resorts are at the northern and western end of the town: Log hut area / Hidimba temple road or at the left bank called Aleo Area. (see Map). We have shortlisted the best of Manali star resorts that have moderate tariff and promise comfortable stay.

Mall Road area

Mall road is busy and popular with tourists as everything is easily accessible. Though, there are many hotels right on the Mall Road, be warned that you will be amidst traffic snarls.

Manali Budget Hotels

There are many budget hotels at Manali. Most of the budget hotels are popular with operators offering what is called as the "Volvo package". Some of the hotels on offer in these packages are outright rejects. To help plan your budget trip to Manali, we have shortlisted the best of Manali budget hotels. Few of them are close to the humdrum of Mall Road while most others offer some amount of respite from the chaos.

Old Manali has many appealing guesthouses

There are many appealing guesthouses in Old Manali area that is favoured by backpack tourists and the adventurous. Old Manali is little quirky and filled with a variety of fantastic people from all over the world. The place is multi-national in spirit, giving it the appearance of Goa in early eighties. Guesthouses of Old Manali have rich character of their own and many of them sport hippie artwork at every corner.

Nothing to beat a secluded cottage

Those travelling in groups or those preferring to stay at Orchards should opt for cottages. They are the perfect resorts for those looking for seclusion, privacy and time away from the humdrum. Many of these cottages are of self-catering type housing a running kitchen. We have listed the best of the Manali cottages suitable for those travelling in groups as well as those travelling as a couple.

Hotel Drifters Inn

Phone 91 9805033127

Description Excellent rooms with spectacular views, modern amenities and bonhomie environment. Tariff is reasonable for the amenities provided. Drifters Cafe is a popular evening hang out.

Dragon guest house

+91-9816022790

Sixteen furnished rooms with en suite bathrooms set in a modern well maintained building. Hotel is run by adventure sports operator, Dragon treks

Rockway Cottage

01902-254328

Ten well crafted rooms in old wooden local house. The guest house is set amidst apple orchards on the banks of River Manalsu.

Sunshine Guest House

01902-252320

Charming guest house with a new and old block. The old block with basic amenities has more character and charm. Service can be annoying but the views make up for it.(see photograph)

Apple View Guest House

01092-253899

Basic accommodation and shared bathrooms

Himalayan Country House

01902- 252290

Unpretentious hotel in old Manali village with basic furniture and en-suite toilets

Mountain Dew Guesthouse

09816446366

Offers clean spacious rooms with balconies. Popular with back-packers.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Manali Budget Hotel HPTDC Kunzum Hotel Adarsh HPTDC Hotel Beas Silmog Garden Snow View Hotel Views Poor Poor Riverside Poor Poor Ambience Average Average Poor Good Average Approx. Tariff Rs.2,500 Rs.1,500 Rs.1,500 Rs.2,300

Near Hadimba Temple Road

Little away from town centre at 1.5 Kms but easily approachable by an autorickshaw. Many restaurants are found in and around Hadimba Temple road.

Manali Budget Hotel HPTDC Rohtang Manalsu Hotel Tourist Hotel Devlok

Views Good Good Good

Ambience Good Good Average

Approx. Tariff Rs.2,000 Rs.1,500 Rs.1,000

Accommodation options in Manali by area

Area 1: Around Mall Road: Manali Market Area and a busy hub

Star Hotel: Johnsons Lodge Budget Hotels: HPTDC Kunzum Adarsh Silmog Garden Snow View

Area 2: Around Circuit House: Midway between Old Manali and New Manali

Budget Hotels: Tourist Lodge Rohtang Manalsu

Area 3:Aleo Area: Relatively quieter area at 1.5 Kms from the market

Star Hotel: Honeymoon Inn Budget Hotel: Vintage Hotel

Area 4:Loghut Area : At 2 Kms from market

Star Hotel: Snowcrests Manor Apple country Cottages: Log huts Retreat Cottages Casa Bella

Area 5: Old Manali: Little more charming than the New Manali town

Guesthouses: Old Manali Guesthouses

Towards Solang Valley Area

Star Resorts: Manu Allaya Solang Valley Resort

List of Budget Hotels in Manali with tariff

Tourist Hotel

A no frills budget hotel known for its excellent hospitality. A popular budget hotel in Manali located in a quiet area at a 10 minute walking distance from central area. Rooms are large, spacious and has a balcony opening to great views.INR 1,000

Hotel Devlok
Budget hotel located in a quiet part of Manali and yet close to the town centre. You get what you pay for, and at the low rates offered by Hotel Devlok, it is an excellent value. Hotel is housed in an orchard at a walking distance from the town centre. Rooms are large, comfortable and has excellent views of the mountains.INR 1,000

The Rohtang Manalsu

HPTDC Hotel with an excellent garden and good views of the Himalayas. Rohtang Manalsu is almost midway between the charming Old Manali and the bustling New Manali. Top choice for budget travellers.INR 1,200

HPTDC The Kunzum

A HPTDC deluxe hotel with spacious rooms right in the central Mall area. It is right at the end of the Mall Road, the hub of Manali. ATMs, Restaurants, shopping complexes, taxi stand, tourism office etc are all close at hand.INR 1,200

Hotel New Adarsh

Centrally located Budget hotel managed by well known Adarsh Restaurant. Hotel Adarsh is one of the better hotels in budget category in terms of comfort, cleanliness and hospitality standards. Given its central location, it is a strong contender in the budget category.INR 1,000

Hotel Vintage
Centrally located hotel run by an enthusiastic manager. A functional budget hotel in the Aleo area of Manali. Hotel is easily approachable from the market area and yet away from the hustle and bustle of Manali.INR 1,200

Hotel Silmog Garden

Centrally located hotel run by an enthusiastic manager. Hotel is located close to Manali market area and is popular with budget travellers for highly personalized service rendered. The hotel restricts its guests to couples and families.INR 1,200

Drifters Inn, Old Manali

Budget hotel with all amenities located in charming Old Manali Village. Old Manali has been a long standing favorite with backpackers. Drifters Inn at Old Manali with its clean rooms and image of a congenial little hangout attracts holiday makers beyond backpackers.INR 800

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Rohtang Pass: Open for tourists

Note : Closed for tourists on Tuesdays Vehicles with Non Himachal Pradesh registration are not allowed beyond Marhi unless you have obtained special permission from SDM office at Manali

Manali - Rohtang Pass Route

Manali to Rohtang Route (distance: 51 KMs) : Manali - Nehru kund - Kothi- Gulaba- Marhi - Raninalla- Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass Trip - Tips from the expert

Rohtang Pass attracts around 25 Lakh visitors a year but is devoid of any basicamenities - no toilets, clean eateries etc. You can hire snow clothesfrom one of the many shops at Manali itself. Cost per snow suite is around Rs. 200 - Rs.325/- per person. The snow dress will include full body suite, boots, gloves and snow boots. There are literally hundreds of shops and shacks offering snow dress on hire. It is better to hire from a shop rather than from a shack. Please check boots and gloves thoroughly as many are torn. Wearing torn shoe or gloves is dangerous. It is better to go to Rohtang Pass by taxi hired from Him Anchal taxi union at Manali (cost Rs.1,700 fixed) than by Rohtang Pass HPTDC tourist bus . HPTDC Bus stops way away from action zone (snow activity) and you need to hire a pony to reach the action zone. This makes trip by HPTDC bus more expensive than travelling in a taxi. Please start early so that you are not stuck in traffic and your taxi can drop you near the action zone. Most drivers are unfortunately not tourist friendly and will try to fleece you. You need to be on gaurd and be firm on what you will pay for snow dress, snowmobile etc.

While at Rohtang Pass

Bargain for every activity - skiing, snow mobile, tyre drop etc at Rohtang Skiing at Rohtang is rudimentary and you do not need a guide. Guide will cost you Rs.1,500 and do nothing more than hold you while you pretend to ski. Snow mobiles do not follow any particular track, so please do avoid crowded part of Rohtang pass unless you want to be mowed down by a speeding snow mobile For all the effort of reaching Rohtang Pass, you will stay for only three to four hours. The crowds makes the experience less interesting that it ought to be.

Beyond Rohtang Pass

If you have your own vehicle, ask the driver to take you to Koksar, an hours drive beyond Rohtang Pass. You can have your lunch at Dabhas in Koksar. If you are visiting Manali during July - October, the chances are that snow would have melted away. However, it is the best time for scenic drives beyond Rohtang Pass.

 The best drive would be the iconic Manali - Leh ride on a motor bike. At the minimum, drive onwards from Rohtang Pass to Gondhla to visit an ancient castle that looks straight out of a fairy tale. Once the tunnel under construction is open to tourists by end 2015, Rohtang Pass will be bypassed completly

Snow Point
Snow Point is not any particular location, rather, it is just a stretch of snow on the way to Rohtang La identified by local vendors to set up their stalls. In peak winters, Snow point is at a location very close to Manali. As the summer progresses, location of snow point moves higher and higher till it reaches Rani Nullah and then further towards the Rohtang Pass. Enthusiasm of tourists converts snow point into some sort of a snow theme park. Tourists and honeymoonerscan indulge in various snow activities like Amateur skiing, yak rides, snow scotters and snow mobiles and of course throwing snow balls at one another.

Attractions enroute Manali to Rohtang La

Nehru Kund: A natural spring, 5 Kms from Manali town. Kothi: River Beas runs through a narrow gorge setting up an attractive landscapes with plenty of photo opportunities. Gulaba: At around 20 Kms from Manali, Gulaba is Scenic spot covered in snow and usually termed "Snow Point" Rahla Falls: Attractive waterfall Marhi:Pit stop for breakfast (Maggi Noodles) and to hire snow equipments

Taxi FARE : Manali to Rohtang Pass current Taxi Fare: Rs. 1,700.

Rs. 1,700 is the fare quoted by Him-Aanchal taxi union, Manali for Manali to Rohtang Pass by basic car (Alto or Indica). Typically, fare quoted by the taxi union is the lowest and their service is extremely reliable. Taxi Union Contact Number : 01902- 252450, 252120 Note : All Non Himachal Pradesh bearing vehicles are banned on the Manali-Rohtang highway. They need special permission to travel to Rohtang Pass.

Hiring Snow dress

Board displaying the rates fixed for snow activities by the Government.

Government Charges Snow dress and snow shoes Skiing Dress Ski dress with Ski Pair Snow Scooter Rs. 100 Rs. 150 Rs. 350 Rs. 500 for 5 minutes

Actual Charges Rs. 325 Rs. 250 Rs. 350 Rs. 700 for 5 minutes

Rohtang Pass :Vendor Menace

Local vendors will stop your vehicle to offer heavy woollen dresses, pony rides and what-have-you. Learn to ignore them. When you need to buy or hire anything, be prepared to negotiate. Vendors will start with exhorbitant rate, Government fixed rate (see photo above) should be your starting point for negotiation. Do not pay more than what is shown in the table as actual charges. Be careful of what you hire as most vendors pass on sub standard materials. A broken shoe can hurt you badly in snow. Do not buy saffron or anything else at Rohtang Pass - they are all sub standard and cheap. Note : All Non Himachal Pradesh bearing vehicles are banned on the Manali-Rohtang highway. They need special permission to travel to Rohtang Pass.
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Gondhla
(3,160m) On the right bank or the river Chandra, this is enroute from Manali to Keylong. Gondhla has level stretches of cultivated land and its most distinctive feature is the eight-storeyed timber and stone. Lower that was the residence of the Local thakur, chief. The monastery has historical importance and every July; this is the site of a large fair where masked dances commemorate the victory over Tibetan king, Langdarma, an enemy of Buddhism. Opposite Gondhla, a sheer cliff rises over 1500m and forms a spectacular sight.

Koksar